SANGER – The Sanger Police Department is expanding its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program thanks to grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
Sanger announced on Feb. 25 that it received a $1,800 grant award from OTS to support a program that runs through September. The funds will help Sanger police officers educate the community, particularly in schools, about preventing vehicle collisions with pedestrians and bicyclists.
“By focusing on education, awareness and promoting safe practices, we aim to reduce crashes and prevent injuries,” Sanger Motor Officer Julian Rodriguez said in a press release. “Ultimately, we’re working toward building more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods where everyone can travel safely and confidently.”
Officers kicked off the program with visits to Wilson Elementary, Madison Elementary and Lincoln Elementary, where they practiced crossing the street with students. The grant program will include community and school educational presentations, walking field trips with schools and older residents and bicycle training courses that educate youth on safe riding behaviors, according to a press release.
Sanger PD will also host pop-up events to promote the importance of visibility as a pedestrian and bicyclist on roadways, such as using reflective safety equipment. The program will emphasize drivers’ overall responsibility to look out for people using roads and paths.
“The safety of people walking and biking on our roads is a top priority for our office,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said in a press release. “Everyone moves, and not always by car. It’s important that we invest in efforts to protect people walking, biking and rolling that helps establish a strong traffic safety culture where everyone on California roads can travel to and from places safely.”
OTS grants are funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
